Locking mechanism for magnetic tape

Abstract

A locking mechanism for magnetic computer tape to be used in conjunction with a closure strap or canister, the magnetic tape being wound about a central hub of a reel, the reel comprising a pair of spaced circular flanges connected at their centers to the hub; the locking mechanism comprising a flexible plastic strip having double sided adhesive pads attached to its ends, the loop being bent and joined at its adhesive ends to form a small loop; the loop being firmly attached to an interior portion of the strap or canister whereby the loop fits between the flanges and bears against the outer winding of the tape to prevent the tape from becoming unwound.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A locking mechanism for magnetic tape to be used in conjunction with a closure means for protecting said magnetic tape, said magnetic tape being wound about a central hub of a reel, said reel comprising a pair of spaced circular flanges connected at their centers to said hub; said locking mechanism comprising a flexible plastic strip having a pair of spaced adhesive means attached to the opposite ends of the strip, said strip being bent and joined at its ends by one of said adhesive means to form a small loop, said loop being attached by the other of said adhesive ends to an interior portion of said closure means and whereby attaching said closure means to said reel permits said loop to fit between said flanges and bear against the outer portion of said tape thereby preventing said tape from becoming unwound from said hub. 
     
     
       2. A locking mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive means comprises double-sided non-metallic adhesive pads affixed to the ends of said strip. 
     
     
       3. A locking mechanism as set forth in claim 1 and being further characterized by said strip being 3/8 inches in width and 41/2 inches in length thereby forming a loop having a diameter of 11/2 inches. 
     
     
       4. A locking mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said closure means comprises an arcuate flexible plastic strip which tightly engages the edges of said flanges and clamps thereto.